- Joined
- Aug 28, 2019
With the recession, supply-chain-backups, and materials prices being what they are, what is the current best "baby's first gun" not just in terms of acquisition, but ammo and maintenance as well?
Most cost-effective gun for self-defense (2022 edition) - Pew-pew for me and you-you
- Thread starter NoReturn
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- Joined
- Apr 24, 2021
Acquisition? Glock. Huge used market, not very expensive.
Ammo? 9mm. Cheapest to shoot in a reasonable size caliber.
Maintenance? Glock. Very easy to service.
I would get a Glock 19 or if you want smaller something like a 43 or 43x.
Or, if you're willing to trust a Taurus....
19 will probably be easier to shoot. Since "cost-effective" is a concern I'm not sure about renting guns to try them all out, that adds up quick. Ranges that rent out firearms require you to purchase their ammo which has a huge markup.
Ammo? 9mm. Cheapest to shoot in a reasonable size caliber.
Maintenance? Glock. Very easy to service.
I would get a Glock 19 or if you want smaller something like a 43 or 43x.
Or, if you're willing to trust a Taurus....
19 will probably be easier to shoot. Since "cost-effective" is a concern I'm not sure about renting guns to try them all out, that adds up quick. Ranges that rent out firearms require you to purchase their ammo which has a huge markup.
- Joined
- Nov 22, 2020
I'm no gun expert but if your concern about ammo prices, you'll want a .22 Revolver. The gun should cost at least 200$, .22 ammo in bulk is very cheap, and very easy to clean, and low recoil for people new into guns.
My first gun is a Smith&Wesson M&P compact 2.0. A good quality gun and nice texture around the grip.
My first gun is a Smith&Wesson M&P compact 2.0. A good quality gun and nice texture around the grip.
- Joined
- Jun 5, 2020
Technically, I think your most cost effective option is a pipe bomb. But Glocks are safer.
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2019
Any cheap pump-action shotgun.
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2021
It didn't even cross my mind that this firearm wouldn't be used as a carry gun, heh....
Yeah if it's just a range toy get a 22 revolver.... or a Ruger MkIV or whatever it's called now.
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2019
Now look, I've never been shot by a 22 so I can't attest to exactly how it feels, but I've certainly shot things with them before and I'm not sure why gun people always act like they fire BBs or something. There are countries where the only guns available fire 22LR and they successfully hunt wild boar with that.
In this case, if someone's broke and we're looking for babby's first gun to protect yourself when you're headed to a rough area for work, a 6 round 22 revolver would be serviceable option, and if money is tight a 22 revolver will cost about 1/3 as much as a glock will, as will the ammo.
Nobody is going to laugh when you shoot them with a 22.
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2021
They're hitting a boar in the CNS with a rifle and a scope and plenty of time. If a feral drug fueled human is 7 ft from you, you may want something more than a 22 revolver. I don't give a shit, suit yourself.
Back me up!
kiwifarms.net
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2017
You can get the Mossberg Maverick 88 Security (a 12-gauge pump shotgun) for less then $200 dollars.
- Joined
- Nov 29, 2019
buy a hundred hipoints and put them all over the house and in the drywall. they will never see it coming
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2017
Any firearm that's reliable and has low price for quality ammo will do the job. So a .22 or 9mm
Win98SE
kiwifarms.net
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2019
Most videos I've seen of self-defense shootings are incredibly brief and at close range. The person with the gun has the opportunity to perhaps unload a few rounds that are more than likely unaimed (see "point shooting") before someone ceases to be a threat. You're not guaranteed a kill shot which is why you want to do as much damage with the least amount of rounds. A .22 CAN kill someone, but a non-lethal shot will do less damage than a non-lethal 9mm round.
If you want to conceal carry you'll need to take size into consideration along with carry holsters (holsterS with an 's' because you'll need to try a few to find your best fit.) A full-size pistol won't conceal unless you're built as hell.
Glocks are well-made and have a good reputation, but I wouldn't call them cheap. Used, yes.
Taurus had a bad reputation with earlier guns but the G2C is like <$150 used, $200 new, and their latest G3C is $250 new. Excellent guns that chew through rounds. They make a good "baby's first gun" because you can get your feet wet with something reliable without breaking the bank. Lots of support on the second-hand market.
Another point of consideration if you plan to carry: Glocks (AFAIK) don't have manual safeties. Proper conceal carry (or just carrying in general) means keeping one round in the chamber ready to rip - you will NOT have time to rack the slide in a self-defense scenario. This makes a lot of newbies uncomfortable. IMO, if you really have no experience with a weapon, a safety is a must while you get used to the idea of carrying a loaded firearm. You can easily train yourself to draw your weapon and disarm the safety in one motion with no time added.
If you don't plan to carry, and by self-defense you mean something else, any full-size 9mm pistol within your price range that has a reputable review from hickok45 is your best bet.
If you want to conceal carry you'll need to take size into consideration along with carry holsters (holsterS with an 's' because you'll need to try a few to find your best fit.) A full-size pistol won't conceal unless you're built as hell.
Glocks are well-made and have a good reputation, but I wouldn't call them cheap. Used, yes.
Taurus had a bad reputation with earlier guns but the G2C is like <$150 used, $200 new, and their latest G3C is $250 new. Excellent guns that chew through rounds. They make a good "baby's first gun" because you can get your feet wet with something reliable without breaking the bank. Lots of support on the second-hand market.
Another point of consideration if you plan to carry: Glocks (AFAIK) don't have manual safeties. Proper conceal carry (or just carrying in general) means keeping one round in the chamber ready to rip - you will NOT have time to rack the slide in a self-defense scenario. This makes a lot of newbies uncomfortable. IMO, if you really have no experience with a weapon, a safety is a must while you get used to the idea of carrying a loaded firearm. You can easily train yourself to draw your weapon and disarm the safety in one motion with no time added.
If you don't plan to carry, and by self-defense you mean something else, any full-size 9mm pistol within your price range that has a reputable review from hickok45 is your best bet.
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2022
Just get a Nigger Point they are the cheapest semi auto handguns on the market. ugly looking, top heavy. And bulky but for self defense it will do. (Some people say they jam) I have never had an issue with that.
- Joined
- Oct 21, 2022
Adding to what everyone else has said check out Paul Harrell on YouTube along with Hickok45. I've also heard good things about Ruger and they aren't insanely expensive, never owned one myself so don't take it as a recommendation
- Joined
- Aug 4, 2022
Cheapest handgun that works is an S&W SD9 VE.
Taurus G2 or G3 9mm are reliable I think. I've sold dozens at the gun shop I worked at, and none every got brought back, but who knows how much those people shot.
Mossberg 500 12ga shotgun. Do not buy a Remington 870, any made in the last 15 years instantly rust if you turn yiur back on them. Spent a lot of time with 0000 steel wool cleaning thise fuckers up
Those should all be around $300 used, and have the cheapest ammo on the market due to their ubiquity. If you find you really like the sport of shooting, you can start investing in some "nice" guns, or whatever meme guns you liked in shokter games.
Taurus G2 or G3 9mm are reliable I think. I've sold dozens at the gun shop I worked at, and none every got brought back, but who knows how much those people shot.
Mossberg 500 12ga shotgun. Do not buy a Remington 870, any made in the last 15 years instantly rust if you turn yiur back on them. Spent a lot of time with 0000 steel wool cleaning thise fuckers up
Those should all be around $300 used, and have the cheapest ammo on the market due to their ubiquity. If you find you really like the sport of shooting, you can start investing in some "nice" guns, or whatever meme guns you liked in shokter games.
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2022
Don't listen to the retards telling you to get a .22 for self defense. Sure at the end of the day it's a bullet fired from a gun and will hurt, you will die bleeding out (if hit in the right spot) staggering off much later (if not treated) You want a caliber that's going to drop somebody immediately no matter where you hit them. Even a big mother fucker (6,6ft 320lbs) you can buy any caliber of high point .22-.45 in between $100-200$ (of course because of inflation that might of changed and depending on which state you're in) but I got my nigger Point .45 for 160$ from a pretty mainstream FFL dealer. Local FFL dealer's tend to charge more.
DuckofDoom
kiwifarms.net
- Joined
- Aug 5, 2020
If you're looking for something easy to carry, a 2nd hand Glock isn't a bad choice. I've seen some in my local shops for $400 or so. If you're just wanting something for home defense, you can get a new Mossberg 500 12 gauge for under $600, and used for about half of that. I'd also recommend looking at a big fuck-off .357 revolver from Ruger or Smith and Wesson, as they have the advantage of being able to shoot the much cheaper .38 special ammo when you're practicing at the range, while still being an excellent one-shot-stop for defense. Revolvers are also extremely easy to maintain, compared to something like a Glock.
Butterschmalz
kiwifarms.net
- Joined
- May 23, 2022
I like your attitude bro! Just like me you are not cheap but lets call it cost efficient! Unfortunately I got no advice on guns. I just keep a baseball bat in my closet for self-defense. Keep it frugal!
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2014
Would you rather save a buck and trust your life with the cheap option, or deal with the cops keeping your gun as evidence after a self defense shooting, while your heart is still beating? Not saying you need a 2k+ handgun, but don't go with a .22 just because it's cheap and it *has* the ability to kill. It's just not common sense when it's your life at risk, and people like Paul Harrell have been putting out amazing content on self defense options for years.
9mm self defense ammo has made huge strides in the past decade, so a glock 19 would be an excellent and budget friendly carry gun. If you want something with additional safety, a sig p320 m18 (my personal suggestion, bigger capacity then the glock with a 17+1 flush fit mag while having a backup mag of 21 that isn't much bigger) has a manual safety. Then go to quiverfull lolcow Lucas Botkin's site trex-arms and get a IWB sidecar holster, you dont want to skimp on your holster. For bein a lolcow, I give Lucas credit for putting out quality holsters.
I highly recommend Hornady critical duty, a good hollow point with stopping power, 30 bucks for a box of 25 (where I live at least). I use +p just for the extra oomph. Get some quality ball ammo in at least 115g for training and then do the most important thing you can, even if you decide to go the cheap route, TRAIN. Know your weapon and how to use it. Take classes, look up online resources etc.
This is your life you're deciding to take into your own hands, don't buy a taurus or hi-point and call it good if you can get something better. A few hundred bucks more gets you leagues ahead. Again, don't feel the need to splurge either, the point of diminishing returns on pistols for self-defense is around $1000.
9mm self defense ammo has made huge strides in the past decade, so a glock 19 would be an excellent and budget friendly carry gun. If you want something with additional safety, a sig p320 m18 (my personal suggestion, bigger capacity then the glock with a 17+1 flush fit mag while having a backup mag of 21 that isn't much bigger) has a manual safety. Then go to quiverfull lolcow Lucas Botkin's site trex-arms and get a IWB sidecar holster, you dont want to skimp on your holster. For bein a lolcow, I give Lucas credit for putting out quality holsters.
I highly recommend Hornady critical duty, a good hollow point with stopping power, 30 bucks for a box of 25 (where I live at least). I use +p just for the extra oomph. Get some quality ball ammo in at least 115g for training and then do the most important thing you can, even if you decide to go the cheap route, TRAIN. Know your weapon and how to use it. Take classes, look up online resources etc.
This is your life you're deciding to take into your own hands, don't buy a taurus or hi-point and call it good if you can get something better. A few hundred bucks more gets you leagues ahead. Again, don't feel the need to splurge either, the point of diminishing returns on pistols for self-defense is around $1000.
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Handguns:
Under $300: Taurus G3 or GX4 for concealment
Under $500: Canik TP9 or Glock 43x for concealment
Above $500: Glock 19, 17, Sig P320 (the X-Full or X-Carry are my favorites, both $600), Springfield XDM Elite, or Sig p365 for concealment
Avoid Ruger and Smith & Wesson. QC for both of them has gone to shit. Ruger SR9s barely function out of the box, and S&W Shield Plus is known to have been shipped with barrels that aren't heat treated. Avoid all turkshit brands (Kahr, SAR, Stoeger, etc) except for Canik. Avoid steel frame hammer fired handguns (as a first gun. they are generally more expensive and less practical than poly striker fired). Do not buy a hi-point. They are cheap, but unreliable and difficult to maintain. Do not buy a revolver, they are impractical for anything other than the nichest of circumstances or if you have never handled a firearm and are functionally retarded.
If you are concerned about availability or cost of ammunition, don't buy anything other than 9mm. Don't be afraid of US made aluminum case ammunition. For hollow points use Sig V-Crown, Speer Gold Dot, Hornady Critical Duty, or Federal HST. Try to keep grain weight similar between your practice and carry ammo so point of impact shift is minimized.
Anything other than a handgun:
An AR15 from a reputable company is probably the most important firearm you can own. Nothing is better for self defense in almost every situation. They are widely available, as is ammunition, and they can be configured so that anyone can handle them.
12ga shotgun is a popular defensive weapon among people who have never had to use a firearm in self defense. Not advised, but if you must, a Mossberg 500 or Benelli Nova are good, generally available options. Don't buy a secondhand Mossberg, there is generally a reason the owner is getting rid of it. Don't buy a Remington made before 2020 unless it is sub-$200, it will have issues and Remington's new owners do not warranty any firearms made before the 2020 acquisition.
Under $300: Taurus G3 or GX4 for concealment
Under $500: Canik TP9 or Glock 43x for concealment
Above $500: Glock 19, 17, Sig P320 (the X-Full or X-Carry are my favorites, both $600), Springfield XDM Elite, or Sig p365 for concealment
Avoid Ruger and Smith & Wesson. QC for both of them has gone to shit. Ruger SR9s barely function out of the box, and S&W Shield Plus is known to have been shipped with barrels that aren't heat treated. Avoid all turkshit brands (Kahr, SAR, Stoeger, etc) except for Canik. Avoid steel frame hammer fired handguns (as a first gun. they are generally more expensive and less practical than poly striker fired). Do not buy a hi-point. They are cheap, but unreliable and difficult to maintain. Do not buy a revolver, they are impractical for anything other than the nichest of circumstances or if you have never handled a firearm and are functionally retarded.
If you are concerned about availability or cost of ammunition, don't buy anything other than 9mm. Don't be afraid of US made aluminum case ammunition. For hollow points use Sig V-Crown, Speer Gold Dot, Hornady Critical Duty, or Federal HST. Try to keep grain weight similar between your practice and carry ammo so point of impact shift is minimized.
Anything other than a handgun:
An AR15 from a reputable company is probably the most important firearm you can own. Nothing is better for self defense in almost every situation. They are widely available, as is ammunition, and they can be configured so that anyone can handle them.
12ga shotgun is a popular defensive weapon among people who have never had to use a firearm in self defense. Not advised, but if you must, a Mossberg 500 or Benelli Nova are good, generally available options. Don't buy a secondhand Mossberg, there is generally a reason the owner is getting rid of it. Don't buy a Remington made before 2020 unless it is sub-$200, it will have issues and Remington's new owners do not warranty any firearms made before the 2020 acquisition.